St. Mary's Home for Children has always relied on the community for support and assistance. One of the best ways to help the children of St. Mary's is to volunteer your time. There are various opportunities to volunteer at St. Mary's within many different disciplines, from direct care to helping maintain campus computer networks. Whatever your skill set, St. Mary's Home for Children looks forward to finding ways for you to contribute your time and expertise. Below are some of the volunteer opportunities currently available.

Visiting Resource
Individuals or couples over the age of 21, able to develop a consistent, safe and enjoyable relationship with a child who is in need of a positive influence from an adult other than the staff at St. Mary's. One must be open to a child who has undergone a tremendous amount of trauma in his/her life and is willing to put the needs of the child first before all else. Fingerprinting/BCI check is an additional requirement for volunteers who will be alone with a child.

Tutor
Individuals over the age of eighteen to guide a child with his/her homework. Read with them, answer questions, keep the child on task and help him/her succeed. The focus of the program is on literacy (creative writing, reading comprehension, guided reading). One hour per week, late in the day or early evening. Commitment of school year.

School Aide
To help children during school day with reading, math, etc. Commitment of at least three hours once per week. Must be 18 years of age, and be a retired teacher, graduate student or be either a junior or senior year student who is studying a major affiliated with education or social services. Fingerprinting/BCI check is an additional requirement for this position.

Appointment Scheduler
To call clients from our Shepherd Program in Cranston to remind them of their appointments. Flexible hours.

Clerical Assistance
Help need to assist us in mailings, correspondence, administrative tasks. Flexible hours, no long-term commitment. Must be 18 years of age.

Library Aide
Individuals to operate a 1500 book library this is used by the students in the campus school. Volunteers keep the library in order, checking books in and out, shelving books and keeping track of overdue books and notices. On occasion, they may choose to read aloud to the students. Commitment is 4 hours, one day per week, during the school year.

Kids Helping Kids

Individual and groups of youth have expressed an interest in volunteering for the children in the residential program. While we strongly encourage volunteerism, our policy dictates that individuals be 18 years of age or older to work directly with the children. There are several worthwhile ways in which you can be a tremendous asset to St. Mary's. While the children are in our care, there are many items that we cannot purchase enough of, since our funds are generally utilized for treatment.

You can make a difference by raising funds to purchase, or by gathering items. The following is a list of suggested needs:

• Gift certificates for entertainment (movies, bowling, music/video stores, ice skating)
• Gift certificates for fast-food, restaurants, pizza (Burger King, McDonald's Wendy's, Newport Creamery, Friendly's, Chelo's, Papa Gino's, Pizza Hut)
• Hygiene Products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, brushes, hair accessories, make-up, deodorant)
• School Supplies, Craft & Art Supplies (stickers, paper, craft kits)
• Games & Puzzles
• Cash Donations
• Small items to be used as incentives (cosmetics, trading cards, jewelry, lotions, small toys)
• Pajamas (two-piece), sizes- child/medium to adult/large
• Video/DVD movies - must be rated G, PG or PG 13

Each program has a minimal commitment level requirement, and completion of an application packet. If you would like further information, please contact us.

Susan DeRita
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
St. Mary's Home for Children
420 Fruit Hill Avenue
North Providence, RI 02911-2647
(401)353-3900 x262